Phillip

Beer tasting at IronBark Brewery with Phillip. This is me wondering if I really have to join in and drink some beer, or will Phillip be happy to polish it all off himself. Yes – he was quite happy to have 99% of it.

Strange looking car he wanted me to photograph at the Brewery.

Here is Emma doing a good job of totally ruining my carefully posed family photo.

Yes, we did finally get her to sit down and behave. From the left, Andrew, Tom, Linda, Phillip, Emma. A lovely family meal, thanks Steve.

Tom has gone back to Adelaide to participate in an Adelaide Uni rowing camp, so Phillip and I decide to go on an organised Action Outdoors Association bush walk. Called Bungendore Breezes – A walk in the hills close to Perth, starting with a steep climb but then getting easier. In Bungendore Park, just south east of Armadale.

We found the meeting point fairly easily, seeing the only kangaroos of the day in suburban gardens.

Well, they were correct about the steep climb, the only consolation being that we knew it would get easier once we reached the top.

And there was a spot of rain, but nothing too frightening luckily.

Some interesting ‘wood art’ along the way. This is the roots of a fallen tree.

Here’s Phillip striding manfully on. Everyone is going strong.

Views along the way. Not a lot of sun, but it is a good temperature for walking.

Finally, the lunch stop, that’s what we have been waiting for. A chance to sit down and munch, and rest.

Ingrid striding on through the bush. A lovely day out for Phillip’s introduction to bush walking, he thoroughly enjoyed himself and is looking forward to doing more in the future. (Kokoda Trail here we come!)

On yet another bright, sunny, beautiful afternoon my paddle boarding promise to the boys came into fruition.

Tom and Phillip pumped the paddle board up a lot faster than it takes me to use the car pump. It was up and full in no time flat. In this time Marcel found us at Point Walter, he brought his paddle board with him, so the kids could have one each for their first attempt.

Phillip chose to sit and use the kayak paddle, a good choice but you always get a wet bum this way. Tom decided to give standing up a go (standing up is a lot easier on my wide board, which is designed for all round use, so it’s good for beginners). Marcel’s board is much narrower and longer, designed more for speed.

And look, he is standing up and posing.

Tom and Phillip went off down river for a paddle, when they came back they had switched boards and Tom was very wet. But he has managed to stand on the long board.

My attention got sidetracked by the water birds and…

and sea eagle that was perched on a nearby tree.

Here’s Phillip coming in for a close up. He’s only wet because Tom decided he should be.